ARPADQ
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CALL ON LORD GLENARTHUR BY M. BARIANI, 20 JANUARY 1988
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
Objectives
1.
To thank M. Bariani for French assistance over the Vietnamese
refugee problem in Hong Kong, and to urge France to accept more
Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong.
Points to Make
1. Grateful for French resettlement assistance for Vietnamese
refugees in past. Aware of France's excellent record in taking Indo-Chinese refugees. Hope you will be able to do even more for
Hong Kong in view of the increasing numbers of Vietnamese refugees
awaiting resettlement there.
2.
British Government believe that resettlement not the full
answer. We are convinced that long-term soltuions must be actively
pursued. These would include return under acceptable conditions of
those deemed to have left Vietnam for essentially economic reasons.
Hope that you understand our position.
3. Aware that M. Mezeray, head of Refugees Division, Ministry of
Social Affairs and Employment, visited Hong Kong recently. Very much hope that this visit will presage new French initiative in near
future.
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